Carton folding device



3 Sheets-Sheet l l I I l l 1 l o. c. scHuLz vCARTON FOLDING DEVICE FiledMarch 2l, 1930 May 2, 1933.

May 2, 1933. o. c. SCHULZ 1,906,283

CARTON FOLDING DEVICE Filed March 2l, 1930 5 Sheets-Shee'l'I 3 PatentedMay 2, 1933 OTTO C. SCHULZ, OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS CARTON FOLDING DEVICEApplication filed March 21, 1930. 4Serial No. 437,670.

This invention relates to carton folding devices and among the genericobjects are to provide a device of simple construction embodying aminimum number of moving parts for the performance of the foldingoperation; a device embodying folding forms par-j ticularly shaped toproperly fold the carton blank; anda device in which a carton will bestripped from the movable portions of the device after the foldingthereof.

A selected embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 isa side view of my improved folding device showing Vvthe meansfor moving the movable portions of the device;

Fig. 2 is aplan view of the folding forms;

Fig. '3 is a transverse sectional view of the folding forms with theblank disposed thereon;

Fig. 4 is a view similarto Fig. 3 showing the first step in the foldingoperation;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 showing an intermediate step in thefolding operation;

Fig. 6 is a view taken substantially on the line G-G of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a view taken substantially on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5';

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the carton when folded into thecondition illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7;

Fig.' 9 is a perspective view of the carton folded in the illustratedembodiment of my invention; and

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the blank of the carton folded in theembodiment of the in* vention illustrated.

Referring to the drawings wherein a selected embodiment of my inventionis illus-y trated, 11 generally indicates the blank of the carton to befolded in my device. Thel blank includes a main body portion 12, Fig.10, having av tab 13 at one end thereof defined by the fold line 14.Along the longitudinal edges of the main. body 12 'are the locking sidetabs 15-15, 16-16, 17-17, and 18-18 The tabs 15-15, 16-16, and 17-17,are joined to the main body 12 by the fold lines 19-19, but the tabs18-18 are separated from ,by slits l21--21. .17-17 along the edgesjuxtaposed to the liner 55 `the main` body 12 by the slits 20-20 whichare extensions of the fold lines 19-19. The tabs 15-15 are separatedfrom the tabs 16-16 The overlying side tabs parallel to the fold line 21and in alinement with the edges of the tabs 16-16 juxtaposed to the tabs1.7*17V Fold lines 171-1'7" join the tabs 18-18'tothe tabs17-17 and aalinement with the fold line 17-17 allel to the fold lines 21and-22parallel to the fold line 14.` The carton blank 11 is folded into box 7formation in the folding block generally indicated by 23-which includesa centrally located opening 24 along opposite edges of which are foldingforms 25 and 26 and along other opposite edges of said opening are thefolding forms 27 and 28. As best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the upperedges of the folded forms 27 and 28 and a surface'29 on the block 23outwardly of the folding form 25 provides supports disposed insubstantially 8 the same horizontal plane on which the unfolded blankm'ay be disposed. Alined with the opening 24 is a plunger 3A0 which isintended to be reciproca-ted through said openi ing to perform thefolding operation. The portion of the blank 11 which provides the bottomof the folded carton is indicated by 31, and is bounded by the foldlines 19, 22, 19 and 21p. When the blank is disposed in the horizontalposition on the folding block 23, as -above described, this portion 31is disposed below the plunger 30 in alinement with the openinge24, theedge of the blank 11 adjacent to the fold line 21 abutting an edge 32 inthe block 23 adjacent the folding form 26 95 to so locate the portion31. As best illustrated in Fig. 2, rim portions .33 and 34 extend alongthe edges of the folding blockl23 past the folding forms 27 and 28 andthese rim portions 33 and 34 Serve to transverse- 100 and parand alsofold 55 i ,l1ne 18 extends acrossthe main body 12 in ly aline the blank11 with the block 23 to properly dispose the portion 31 relative to theopening 24. When the plunger 30 moves' downwardly and engages theportion 31 this portion is similarly moved as illustrated in Figs. 4 and6. By reason of the disposition of the upper edges of the folding forms27 and 28 in the plane on which the unfolded blank is rested and, byreason of the small radii of the rounded corners 33 and 34 on thesefolding forms on the edges thereof adjacent the opening 24,.thetabs16-16 are quickly folded inwardly. As yshown in Fig. 2, the edges 33and 34 are of less extent than the extent of the opening 24. The edges35 and 36 at the ends ofthe edge 33 extend angularly toward the outeredges of the block and the edge 36 is rounded downwardly .toward theinclined upper edge 37 of the folding form 26, and the edge 35 isrounded downwardly toward the rounded edge 38 of the folding form 25.The upper edges of the folding forms 25 and 26 are disposed in a planebelow the plane of the upper edges of the folding forms 27 and 28. Theedges 39 and 40 extend angularly outward from the edge 34, and the edge39 is rounded vdownwardly toward the edge 38, and the edge 40 is roundeddownwardly toward the edge 37. This inclination of the edges 35 and 36and 39 and 40 relative to the disposition of the edges 33 and 34 causesthe next stage in the folding whichis as follows:

The formation of the edges 36 and 40 is such that the tabs 15-15 will befolded inwardly with portions thereof overlying the tabs 16-16 whichwill be disposed in the relatively severe angular positions illustratedin Fig. 6. The edges 35 and 39 will act on the tabs 17-17 to fold thesetabs toward the taibs 16-16 but outwardly of the tabs 15-15. In the tabs15-15 the slits 41-41 are formed which define tongues 42-.42 Priorv tothe time the blank 11 is dis-posed in the horizontal position of Fig. 3,the tongues 42-42 will be folded outwardly; that is, when the blank 11is disposed in the position depicted in Fig. 3 these tongues will beinclined downwardly; Therefore, as the tabs 17-17 move over the outersurfaces of the tabs 15-15 the ears 22-22 will pass inwardly of theoutwardly folded tongues 42-42 through the slits 41-41 in the mannerclearly illustrated in Fig. 8, the blank 11 being arranged relative tothe various folding forms at this stage of the operation in a positionsubstantially similar to that shown in Figs. 5 and 7. During theforegoing operation, the surface 37 will have been acting on the portionof the main body 12 outwardly ofthe fold line 21 to fold this portionupwardly, and the surface 38 will have been acting on the portion of themain body 12 outwardly of the fold line 22 to fold this portionupwardly. Continued downward plunger 30, Fig. 5 illustrating thebeginning of such movement. After the plunger 30 has advanced beyond theportion shown in Figs. 5 and 7 to bring about the lastI describedoperation, the parts will be substantially in the positions illustratedin Fig. 9 and, as the edges of the various folding forms are Ver ticalin the portion of the extent through which the carton will now bepassing, these edges serve to bring about a creasing along the foldlines which causes the retention of the parts in the positionsillustrated. Downward movement of the plunger 3() will be continued andthe now completely folded carton will be moved from the block 23. Arabbeted groove 43 is provided in the lower edge of the folding form 25adjacent the opening 24 and the tab 13 will pass into this rabbetedgroove when the plunger 3() has been moved downward suiiioiently toaline this groove and tab. Engagement of this tab in this groove willprevent the folded carton from moving upwardly with the plunger 30 whensaid plunger is so moved and, therefore, the folded carton willbe'stripped from the plunger.

Any desired type of mechanism maybe provided for operating the plunger30 and one such form of mechanism. is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein theblock 23 is mounted in the top 44 of a suitable table structure. Abearing 45 is provided in this top 44 and a bar 46 is extended throughthis bearing. An arm 47 extends from the upper end of the bar 46 and theupper end of the plunger 30 is connected to this arm. Atthe lower end ofthe bar 46 is a plate 48 on which a bearing 49 is provided. A link 50 ispivotally connected to the bearing 49 and said link includes a hookprojection 51 to which one end of a spring 52 is connected, the otherend of said sprmg being connected to the top 44.v A bracket 53 isprovided and a lever 54 is pivotallyl mounted on this bracket and isconnected to the link 50. A foot treadle 55 is provided on the lever 54.When the foot treadle 55 is depressed to move the lever 54 into thedotted line position in Fig. l, the link 50,bar 46, arm 47, and plunger30 are moved into the dotted line positions of Fig. 1 expanding thespring 52 which spring returns the parts to the fullline position whenpressure is removed from the treadle 55, the engagement of the plate 48with the lower end of the bearing 45 limiting the action of the spring52. A suitable conveyor, such as the belt 56, may be arranged below thelowermost position of the plunger 30 to carry away the folded cartonsstripped from said plunger. If desired, the top 44 may -be of a y WhileI have illustratedand described a said surfaces being inclined outwardlyfrom thereon, a folding member size suliicient to permit a stack of theblanks other edges of said opening being of'more l1 to be storedthereon, as illustrated in Fig. 1. gradual contour than It is manifestfrom the foregoing descripsurfaces, and means for passingacarton blanktion that I have provided a carton folding over said surfaces andthrough said openings. device which embodies but one moving part 4. In adevice for folding a carton embodyand which includes properlydisposedsuiting locking side tabs having slits therein proably shaped foldingfoi-ms which cooperate viding outwardly extending tongues and with themoving part to bring about the overlyingside tabshavingears thereonadaptfolding of the carton from a blank which ed to engage inl saidslits inwardly of said as been previously properly scored and tongues,a` folding member having an opening slotted. therein, stationary foldingforms disposed about said opening and mounted relative to selectedembodiment of my invention, it is to each other, and means for moving acarton be understood that this is capable of variablank through saidopening and past said tion and modification to meet the requirefoldingforms, certain of said folding forms ments of particular cartons withoutdeparthaving shaped surfaces thereon for bending ing from the purview ofthe invention as set said locking tabs inwardly, and other of said forthin the following claims, folding forms having shaped surfaces there- Iclaim: on for bending said overlying tabs toward 1. A carton foldingdevice including a car- Si-lid IOCkIlg tabs and Outwardly thereof tonfolding member having an opening there- Wheleby the eaIS 0I1 S21diin-folding forms disposed about said openpassed into the slits 1n Saidlocking tabs. ing, said fofding forms having shaped sur- 5. In adeviceforfo'ldinga carton embodyfaces thereon on the upper edges thereof on'111g 1I 1I Side tabs, IOCkIlg Side tabs, and the portions around saidopenings, the medial Overlylng Side tabs, a folding member havingportions of the shaped surfaces on oppositely ,an openlng therein, andstationary folding disposed of said folding forms having relaformsdisposed aboutsaid opening and mounttively short radii and beingdisposed in a ed relative'to each otherand means for movplane above theplane of other of said shaped ing a carton blank through said openingpast surfaces thereon, said other surfaces having said folding forms,certain of said folding radii longer than the radii of the first-namedforms having Shaped surfaces` thereon for surfaces, and means forpassing a carton fOldIlg Said liner Sde'ta-bs inwardly as the blank oversaid shaped surfaces and through iISt Step Il the Carton foldingoperation and said openings. v having other shaped surfaces theron forfold- 2. A carton folding device including a earing said locking tabsinwardly over said liner ton folding member having an opening theretabsand having still other shaped surfaces in, folding forms disposed aboutsaid openthereon for fo`ding said overlyingtabs over ing, said folding`forms having shaped sur! and for connecting said overlying tabs to saidlocking tabs to thereby retain said carton in folded position. of saidopening having the medial portions thereof positioned adjacent saidopening disliner side tabs, locking posed in a plane higher than theother portions thereof, said last named portions of side tabs having andoverlying side tabs having ears having an openthe ends of said medialportionsand toward ing therein, and stationary folding forms and mergedwith shaped surfaces on the folddisposed about said opening and mounteding forms along the other edgesof said openrelative to each other, andmeans formoving ing, and means for passing a carton blank a carton blankthrough said opening past ongues,

over said surfaces and through said opening. said folding forms, certainofsaid folding 3. Acarton folding deviceincludingacarforms having shapedsurfaces thereon for ton folding member` having an opening therefoldingsaid liner side tabs inwardly as the 1n, folding forms disposed aboutsaid opening, first stepin the carton folding operation and the upperedges thereof, the shaped surfaces folding said locking tabs inwardlyover said on folding forms at opposite edges of said liner tabs andhaving' still other 'sha d suropening having the portions thereofposifaces thereon for folding said overlying tabs' tioned adjacent saidopening` and substantialtoward said locking tabs whereby the ears lymedially thereof rounded with relatively-g on said over-lying tabsengage said tongues smallradii and having the remaining porto be passedinto said slits in said locking tions thereof roundedwith longer radiiand tabs to thereby retain said carton in folded inclined outwardlytoward the ends of the position. l v

folding forms aong the other edges and away 7. In a device fo z' foldinga carton embodyfrom the ends of the medial portions, the ing abottom-portion having end tabs along shaped surfaces on the foldingforms along opposite edges thereof, liner side tabs along said lastnamed shaped' overlying tabs are' 6. I n a device for folding a cartonhaving slits therein delining outwardly projecting the other edgesIthereof, locking side tabs,

-overlying side tabs, a folding member having an opening therein,stationary folding forms disposed about said opening and mountedrelative to each other, and means for moving a carton blank through saidopeningl past said folding forms, certain of said folding forms havingshaped surfaces thereon for folding said liner side tabs vinwardly asthe first step in the carton folding operation and having other shapedsurfaces thereon for folding said end tabs inwardly toward said linertabs and having other Shaped surfaces thereon for folding said lockingtabs over said liner tabs, and still other'shaped surfaces thereon forfolding said overlying tabs over said locking tabs and for connectingsaid overlying tabs to said locking tabs whereby said carton is retainedin folded position after passage thereof through said opening past saidfolding forms.

8. In a device for folding a carton embodying a bottom portion havingend tabs along opposite edges thereof, liner side tabs along the otheredges thereof, otherside tabs having slits therein defining outwardlyprojecting tongues, and overlying side tabs having ears thereon, afolding member having an opening therein, stationary folding formsdisposed about said opening and mounted relative to each other, andmeans for moving a carton blank through said opening past said foldingforms, certain of said-folding forms having shaped surfaces thereon forfolding said liner side tabs inwardly as the first step in the cartonfolding operation and having other shaped surfaces thereon for foldingsaid end tabs inwardly toward said liner tabs and having other shapedsurfaces thereon for folding said locking tabs over said liner tabs andstill other shaped surfaces thereon for folding said overlying tabs over'said locking tabs and for passing said ears inwardly of said tdnguesand into said slits to retain said carton in folded condition afterpassage thereof through said opening past said folding forms.

OTTO C. SCHULZ.

